A/N: I start this chapter with no earthly idea of the content... -ponders writing about monkeys and elephants-

"Then I have a proposition for you. What do you say to a friendly game of cards?"

"Stakes?" asked Will suspiciously.

"Why, Miss Swann, of course."

"Let the game ensue."

Will thought that his ears were surely deceiving him. There was now a light at the end of the tunnel, a way Elizabeth could belong to him as surely as he belonged to her. He could win her back. She could be his forever and ever and-

"Deal." said Jack, passing him the cards. Will began methodically passing them out. One for Jack, one for him, one for Jack, one for him... "If I win, you'll really let me take her? Take her to marry me?" He held his breath, waiting for the answer that could change his life.

Jack nodded. "Aye, mate. And I'll never see her again. She'll be yours and only yours, your own bonnie lass."

"Jack! A word with you, if you please." Elizabeth stood up from the chair, her eyes flashing.

He grinned and bowed to her, letting her lead the way to the deck, where they ensured they were out of earshot of Will.

As soon as Jack gestured for her to begin speaking, she exploded with the force of a tropical storm out at sea. "Jack, I do not appreciate becoming the stakes for a drunken card game! What if you lose to him?! What if I really become his?! What if-"

"Luv, luv, luv, you have to trust me," he said softly, catching the insides of her wrists.

"But you- I don't want to go with him! If you lose-"

"Then I'll just have to win, aye?"

"Aye," she whispered, distracted by his too-warm hands.

"So," he smirked, pulling her closer into his broad arms, "what was it you were worrying about, luv?"

"Going...with...Will..." She was distracted by the fact that he was trailing little kisses up and down her cheek. He paused for a second, letting his lips linger by the corner of her mouth.

"But Lizzie luv (May I call you Lizzie?), why don't you trust me?" He exhaled gently into her mouth, delighting to feel her trembling in his arms.

She was suddenly finding it more difficult to breathe. "I- I do trust you, Jack."

"Then why won't ye let me try this harmless game?" Jack pressed his forehead against hers, his dark eyes pleading in the moonlight.

Elizabeth frowned, pouting. She just knew there was a reason. She was mad at him because-

"You think too much," growled Jack suddenly, and with a savage cry pulled her lips up to his. He tasted of the salty sea air and of something purely Jack. Elizabeth suddenly remembered kissing him on this ship, in a dangerous situation, at another time, but she could not comprehend when or why. As if he could sense her thinking again, he suddenly tightened his arms around her, running his right hand through her hair. She sighed the tiniest bit, relaxing against him.

Jack had accomplished his mission. Her mind was devoid of everything but the feel of his lips on hers. His lips were warm and lit a flame deep inside of her, something she hadn't known existed. She was suddenly aware of her entire body. Even her feet hummed with pleasure, and she realized that she was kissing him back as hard as he was kissing her.

He changed the style of his kisses then, the way a musician suddenly plays a different movement, and he repeatedly brought his lips to hers, retracting them as fast as he touched them. Her body sang a thousand songs, but the half-moments in between kisses began feeling like years. She dragged his face down to hers, pulling him even closer than before. Elizabeth was enchanted by the taste of him, of Jack, of a pirate.

As if he knew what she was thinking, he pulled away from her with an oath. "Luv," he warned, "I am a pirate, and you have no bloody idea what you're getting into."

"I think I know perfectly well what I'm getting into."

"Aye? And what is that?"

She gently pushed him towards the door. "I'm afraid you won't know until you win that card game."

He grinned, triumphant. "Lizzie luv, I like the way you think."

Jack grabbed her hand, tugging her back into the cabin, where Will and the card game awaited.

So...

That was different than I thought it was going to be.

But they finally kissed!

I bet some of you are happy about that, haha.

Please review so I know whether this was a good/bad chapter. The next one will be longer, promise.

Love you guys!